1ST READING
We
seem to have lost any real practical understanding of the notion of
penance in today’s westernized world. The world’s focus is pleasure and
ease of life, and rarely do we think of doing penance as a reminder of
the price paid for our salvation, or as a form of intercession for an
aspect of our lives. The Old Testament records many times when the
people of God demonstrated their commitment to conversion through
penitential acts. Were they wrong to do this? I think not. However, we
cannot manipulate God or earn His favor. Penance is not about these two
things – it is about demonstrating to God that we are serious about the
issue at hand.
Joel 1:13-15; 2:1-2
13 Gird
yourselves and weep, O priests! Wail, O ministers of the altar! Come,
spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God! The house of your
God is deprived of offering and libation. 14 Proclaim
a fast, call an assembly; gather the elders, all who dwell in the land,
into the house of the Lord, your God, and cry to the Lord! 15 Alas, the day! For near is the day of the Lord, and it comes as ruin from the Almighty. 2: 1 Blow
the trumpet in Zion, sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all who
dwell in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; 2 yes,
it is near, a day of darkness and of gloom, a day of clouds and
somberness! Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a people numerous
and mighty! Their like has not been from of old, nor will it be after
them, even to the years of distant generations.
P S A L M
Psalm 9:2-3, 6, 16, 8-9
R: The Lord will judge the world with justice.
1 [2] I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds. 2 [3] I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, Most High. (R) 5 [6] You rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; their name you blotted out forever and ever. 15 [16] The nations are sunk in the pit they have made; in the snare they set, their foot
is caught. (R) 7 [8] But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has set up his throne for judgment. 8 [9] He judges the world with justice; he governs the peoples with equity. (R)
GOSPEL
When
we rid our lives of a particular vice or habit, we leave behind time
and space with potential for good or bad. This is what Jesus is
addressing here — that when we give up drinking alcohol excessively, for
example, what are we going to do with the free time we now have? Will
we put it to good use or will we simply waste it with another vice? It
is up to us how to use our time.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The prince of this world will now be cast out, and when I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all to myself, says the Lord.
Luke 11:15-26
15 When
Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of
Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” 16 Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. 17 But
he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against
itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. 18 And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom
stand? For you say that it is by Beelzebul that I drive out demons. 19 If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own people drive them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 20 But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man fully armed guards his palace, his possessions are safe. 22 But when one stronger than he attacks and overcomes him, he takes away the
armor on which he relied and distributes the spoils. 23 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 24 When an unclean spirit goes out of someone, it roams through arid regions searching for rest but, finding none, it says, ‘I shall return to my home from which I came.’ 25 But upon returning, it finds it swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings back seven other spirits more wicked than itself who move in and dwell there, and the last condition of that person is worse than the first.”
think: When we rid our lives of a particular vice or habit, we leave behind time and space with potential for good or bad.
T O D A Y’S BLESSING LIST
Thank You Lord for: __________________
____________________________________
God’s special verse/thought for me today_
_____________________________________
READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Amos 7-9
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